Tube tests following on from an ectopic pregnancy.

[SunshineAsh]

I had a left sided ectopic pregnancy which was picked up in an early dating scan at 8 weeks and 2 days.

I made the decision to have methotrexate (medical management) as it was less invasive and I had a chance to save my tube. However, the baby kept growing in the tube and I ruptured causing internal bleeding and required surgery at 10 weeks and 2 days.

I had the ectopic pregnancy removed and they were able to save/repair the left tube. Whilst they were doing the surgery they tried to test my right tube but advised it was inconclusive and I would need tests on both tubes after 3 months.

I cannot try to get pregnant again until 30th September as we used methotrexate and there has to be a 3 month gap but otherwise I would be able to try again following my first period. I had my period a couple of weeks ago and feel physically recovered from the surgery. So theoretically I would now be able to try after 30th September once the methotrexate is out of my system.

However the consultant is recommending tubal tests HyCoSy on both tubes to ensure I would not have another uneccessary ectopic if one or both tubes have problems. However she has advised I cannot have this done for 3 months. Which means I have to wait until 9th October. Furthermore, they may not be able to do it straight away then as it can take 3 cycles for a space to become available for the tests.

I am being a little impatient I know but I am turning 38 in November and I am very nervous that there are time limitations on my chances to become a mum. My husband and I are both desperate for children and its quite mentally draining at woth all the uncertainties about the tubes

My main question is does anyone know if there is a reason why there should be a 3 month wait for the request of the tests? I have spoken to a couple of private clinics. One said after first cycle and the 2nd clinic said 1 to 2 months. I cannot really afford private treatment at the moment but may consider it if I have to. I just don't want to go ahead with a private clinic and jeopardise any recovery of the tubes and wondered if there is a clear reason my consultant suggested 3 months or if this is just a way they are managing waiting lists etc due to NHS financial constraints.

Apologies for the long winded message.

Thanks in advance for any advice or personal experiences you are able to share.

I've had ectopics in both my left and right tubes and unfortunately both ruptured and i lost both tubes

I had a HSG done after my first ectopic- even before Covid it was a 3 month wait just due to waiting list times so what you've been told sounds about right

What I would say though is that the test can give false hope. When they operated they said my other tube looked healthy and fine. But I fought to get a HSG anyway. It showed my tube was free of blockages and looked "perfect" I still went on to lose it to another ectopic. The test can only tell you if there is a blockage or not. It can't actually tell you if the tube works. There is no known test for that (other than getting pregnant with a baby in the right place) and there is no way of fixing them if they don't work either

I guess what I'm saying is once your 3 months post methotrexate wait is over dont feel like you have to wait for the HSG. Although It can feel a bit like playing Russian roulette with your life each month that would be true whether the HSG showed an issue or not

@ivfdreaming I agree about the Russian roulette comment!

I had an ectopic in my right tube and the tube was removed. I wasn't aware they could repair them, I was led to believe it's best to have it out to avoid another one in the affected tube? I was already under the fertility clinic as had taken Metformin to conceive and after the ectopic, they told me there was no point doing the dye test as there may still be issues, such as the small hairs not working properly (sorry, I don't know the technical terms!). So we were advised and approved for IVF as to avoid another ectopic. However, we tried and although my husband deemed it risky, we were blessed with our son from the left tube.
Has IVF ever been mentioned, have you any other issues other than the tube?

I would never risk a "repair" after an ectopic as you're right there the tiny muscles inside the tube can't be fixed If they don't work

I moved onto IVF after my first ectopic and my second ectopic was actually as a result of an IVF transfer

Turns out IVF actually increases the chances of having an ectopic rather than decreases it 🤦‍♀️ - I'm relieved both tubes are gone now and I'm now pregnant with twins